04/05/2025

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2025

CHINESE automotive giant Geely Auto made headlines at Auto Shanghai 2025 with the global unveiling of its advanced Galaxy Cruiser SUV prototype, alongside a suite of major innovations in vehicle safety and battery technology. The presentation underscored Geely’s vision for the future of intelligent and sus tainable mobility, with a firm emphasis on safety and accessibility through techno logical progress. The Galaxy Cruiser, described by the company as a robust and technologically

The Galaxy Cruiser and the supporting infrastructure unveiled at Auto Shanghai represent more than just an ambitious product showcase. They reflect Geely’s determination to redefine the future of mobility by uniting electrification, artificial intelligence, and a profound commitment to safety. In doing so, the company positions itself not only as a leader in Chinese automotive innovation but also as a key player shaping the global conversation around next-gen eration transport.

Galaxy Cruiser SUV prototype on display in Shanghai

advanced SUV, serves as a bold statement of intent. The prototype introduces a num ber of industry-first capabilities that blend off-road resilience with smart connectivity. It is the first vehicle in its class capable of switching in real time between pure elec tric, hybrid, and extended-range power modes, aided by an AI-controlled four wheel drive system designed to handle Latest models in the pipeline Chinese marque showcases Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i Hybrid SUV, Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV diverse terrains and unpredictable driving environments. This system allows the SUV to effortlessly transition from urban com muting to challenging off-road conditions. In a landmark step towards industry wide safety standardisation, Geely intro duced the Geely Global Safety Centre, described as the largest standalone auto motive safety laboratory in the world.

GEELY has displayed its latest petrol electric hybrid SUV, the Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i, at Auto Shanghai 2025, marking the public appearance of a model that could soon carry Proton branding in Malaysia as the e.MAS 7 PHEV. Positioned as a hybrid counterpart to the fully electric Galaxy E5 – sold in Malaysia as the Proton e.MAS 7 – the Galaxy Starship 7 introduces Geely’s sec ond-generation NordThor 2.0 plug-in hybrid system. This new powertrain is a refined ver sion of the EM-P system also used by Lynk & Co and incorporates significant enhancements in efficiency and perform ance. Visually, the Starship 7 distinguishes itself from its EV sibling through conven tional door handles, which replace the flush, pop-out style found on the E5 and e.MAS 7. The front fascia incorporates a full width LED light bar and tiered daytime running lights, with the main headlamps now positioned lower on the bumper. At the rear, subtle changes to the tail lamps, tailgate, and bumper design give the Starship 7 its own unique identity. The hybrid system is anchored by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pet rol engine with a thermal efficiency of 46.6%. This high level of efficiency is made possible by an optimised combus ade possible by an optimised combus PORSCHE has set a new bench mark at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, with its latest 911 GT3 becoming the fastest pro duction car fitted with a manual transmission to lap the legen dary circuit. Behind the wheel of the record-setting vehicle was Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister, who completed the 20.832km course in a remark able 6 minutes and 56.294 sec onds, eclipsing the previous best by more than nine and a half seconds. The achievement underscores Porsche’s commitment to driver focused engineering, particularly at a time when fully automated systems and dual-clutch gear boxes dominate the perform ance car landscape.

tion chamber that increases air swirl. Geely offers the Galaxy Starship 7 in China with a choice of two battery con figurations. The entry-level variant fea tures an 8.5kWh battery that supports up to 55km of electric-only driving under the Chinese CLTC testing standard. A larger 12.02kWh battery increases the electric range to 120km. With the 1.5 litre engine and a 51-litre fuel tank in play, the total driving range is quoted at 1,420km, with a fuel consumption rate of just 3.75 litres per 100km. With the

‘e.MAS 7 PHEV’ name already trademarked by Proton, the unveiling of the Galaxy Starship 7 adds further weight to

expectations that the hybrid SUV could soon be offered in Malaysia as a range-extending alternative to the battery-electric

e.MAS 7.

has set a new bench This record is especially sig and 315/30 Porsche secures new Nurburgring record

and 315/30 R21 at the rear, the same configuration used during the official lap of the earlier GT3 model. This attempt was conducted under notarial supervision to vali date the timing, and the focus was clear from the outset: to demonstrate the true potential of the manual transmission vari ant. Andreas Preuninger, who leads Porsche’s GT model devel opment, explained that cus tomer demand for manual vari ants has grown significantly. Many owners have expressed curiosity about the capabilities of a manual-equipped GT3 on the Nordschleife. Porsche’s decision to pursue this lap time was, in part, a direct response to that enthusiasm.

This record is especially sig nificant considering the vehicle was equipped with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox rather than the brand’s quicker, seven speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission. The 911 GT3, fitted with the Weissach package, delivered a performance that exceeded its predecessor’s PDK-assisted lap by 3.633 seconds, illustrating the substantial improvements made across key performance areas. Track conditions during the record attempt were ideal, with ambient temperatures at 12°C and the asphalt warmed to 27°C. The vehicle ran on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres – street legal yet track-capable – with sizes 255/35 R20 at the front